The sound of the teaspoon hitting the bottom of the cup sounded in their ears, as the steam rose from the cup and mixed into the air and the fragrance of the herb calms the nerve.
Clara set the teapot down, just beside the pastries her generous guess had brought from the bakery.
CLINK
The teaspoon hitting the edge of the teacup echoed in the room.
"More!" Feli chirped while sitting in Darius's lap. The young griffin doing its most favorite thing in the world – to eat bread.
His guardian as always pinched pieces of bread and fed them to the young griffin.
"As I've said, I couldn't make any more exploding arrows. I'm so sorry Brennan." Clara announced regretfully before placing two cups of tea in from of Brennan and Darius.
"It's just the supply of gunpowder was cut off." She explained.
"What happened though?" Brennan asked.
"From what I was told there is a shortage in supply coming from the eastern continent. So whatever amount of gunpowder reaching the country was immediately bought off from the coastal area. There's just not enough supply to reach Sentry."
Silence filled the air, all of them knows how useful the arrows are.
This means if Clara can't make them, they will lose a lot of firepower.
"It's obvious what's needed to be done…" Darius said before drinking his tea.
Clara nodded to agree.
'Someone has to go to the fort, and directly purchase the gunpowder as it arrives from the eastern continent.'
"We can go…" Brennan suggested, round eyes looking at Clara and then to Darius. "Darius and I can buy the gunpowder from the coastal area."
"But the fort is too far, it will take at least a week to go there." Clara pinched her nose.
"It's fine Clara. The arrows you make are quite valuable. We needed them and it's only fair that we help you in any way we can." Darius spoke gently.
"That's true, you've been working hard to make them. This is something we must do." Brennan agreed.
"Then, we must go together. I'll go with you." Clara responded. "I have to make sure that it's authentic, some merchant might use replacement to scam people. Also, I will feel bad sending the both of you on your own."
"I suppose that's fine," Darius replied. It's not like either Brennan or he knows much about gunpowder. So he reckoned it would be for the best if she came along.
"Alright then it's settled," Clara smiled.
"When will we leave?" Brennan asked.
"What about tomorrow?"
"Deal."
"We will go to Orienta on the east." Clara pointed at the map she pinned on the wall.
"Then we will pick you up by first light," Darius said.
"Okay." The young woman nodded.
And with those concluding words, the three of them enjoyed their afternoon tea.
Oraculi held Feli as his students mounted their horses, once again they are off for a new task.
But of course, he understands. This time he understands their intention more than the last mission. Because today they wanted to collect materials for Brennan's weapon. Unlike the last time, where they are heading to an unknown location without much to go on.
Other than Darius's gut feeling that is.
But again, he's not going to complain about the past. After all, they came back in one piece and with Feli at that. And after that mission, Darius and Brennan appeared to have more determination to grow stronger. Their drive to train harder grew stronger, like the raging flames of a forest fire.
Needless to say, he was relieved. If this continues then the two may just as well become the strongest hunters he had ever met.
Feli struggled in his grasp, desperately trying to run back to Darius.
"You can't go with them Feli," Oraculi said.
"You will have to stay with me."
"Peeit! Piit!" the griffin cried.
"I'll give you bread if you settle down," Oraculi tried to calm him using the sweetest word the young griffin had ever known – bread.
But alas, Feli is no fool.
Just like any other young, he wants to be with Darius more than food.
"Mama! Mama!"
"Don't leave me!" Feli struggled against Oraculi's grasp, his wings flapping wildly.
"Please don't leave me!"
"I'll be good! I'll call you dada! I won't ask for bread!"
The young griffin begged, the sound of his cries reminding Darius of a horrible memory.
'Mum! Mum!' Darius heard a voice from the past.
'Mum! Please don't leave me here! Please don't give to the witch!' The young Darius begged as he stood near the castle door.
It was such a dreadful place, with the stench of dirty water, mold, and rotten meat. I could make anyone feel queasy. Then the thick forest and the gray sky adding to the terrifying surrounding, it was a true nightmare for a child his age.
'I promise I'll be good!' His tiny hands clutched his mother's clothes, refusing to be left alone in the castle.
'Please, mum!' Tears flowed endlessly in his purple eyes, his small body shaking with fear.
'I'm so sorry Darius if only we have a choice.' His mother's tear-stained eyes looked straight at him. Her trembling hands firmly held his shoulders, pressing on them a little harder. She doesn't want to leave him here, but what choice does she have?
Even if they run away, Ravana will find them and she will kill Darius. Even before he had the chance to grow, just like the others before.
"You have to promise Mum that you will be good. Promise Mum that you will be strong" His mother tried her best to keep her composure.
"Promise me that you will survive." Her tears dripped down her face before turning around to leave Darius at the mercy of the witch of the Dead Swamp.
'MUM!' he screamed in horror as Ravana opened the doors of the castle.
His terrified eyes watched as his mother grew smaller in the distance.
Darius snapped out of his daze, without thinking he jumped down the horse.
Swiftly taking Feli from his mentor.
He smiled apologetically, "I don't think he will give you any time to sleep. I'll just take him with me. Sorry."
"It's fine, but are you sure you can take care of him while traveling," Oraculi asked.
"We'll manage," he held Feli closer. The griffin snuggled in his arms as it sniffled due to his crying.
"We should get going," Darius said to say goodbye.
As they mounted the horse, Darius cradled Feli.
"I'm sorry Feli. I promise that I will never leave you again." He whispered close to the young griffin's ear.
"Never ever?" Feli asked.
"Never ever," Darius reassured him.
The young griffin sat in front of Darius, as they go on horseback to pick up Clara. The cold wind brushed against Feli's pinfeathers, which are starting to turn into actual feathers. He's growing very quickly, it was just almost two weeks ago when he hatched. But now he's bigger than a turkey.
And soon, he might start flying.
But then, Darius noted that the natural growth of birds probably doesn't apply to him. Feli is a mystical creature after all.
The young griffin closed his eyes enjoying the feeling of the cold wind in his beak and face. Both wings spread as if he was trying to fly.
Darius smiled at the sight, he is such an innocent creature.
"Darius," Brennan called.
"Hmmm?"
"I was just wondering, why did you accept Feli but not the changeling?" Brennan asked.
Darius deadpanned, 'Brennan sure has a sharp memory…'
"Eer…" Darius pondered at the thought, now he couldn't help but feel bad.
"When I looked at the changeling, it looked so much like a human child. So, I didn't think I can take care of it. And I think my reason still stands, besides I'm sure that Lady Wilson is far more capable of raising the changeling than me." Darius replied.
"I guess that's true," Brennan nodded.
"I can't even imagine Feli sharing you with another child," Brennan laughed.
Upon hearing his words, Feli opened his eyes. Looking at Darius with surprise.
He shook his head.
Darius chuckled, 'He's definitely not sharing.'
Before they entered Sentry, Darius made sure to put Feli in his bag. With only his head sticking out.
Earning an "I don't want to be here." From the young griffin.
But he promised that he will take Feli out of the bag after they passed the city. Which Feli agreed to, along with the promise of giving him more bread that is.
When they arrive at the workshop, Clara was already waiting for them at the front door.
Standing by the closed door, Clara wears a long dark green skirt that reached her ankles. Accompanied by a long-sleeved white blouse and a ribbon tied in her collar. Her brown hair shone under the golden morning sunlight.
"Feli is coming with us? How wonderful!" Clara chimed, her smile brighter than the sun itself.
"He just wouldn't stop crying," Darius told her. Which was a bit odd for her since she was yet to know that Feli can talk to Darius.
"I will be riding with Brennan then," Clara said as she walked over to Brennan.
And like a well-trained horseback rider, she mounted the horse with ease. Not even needing any help from Brennan.
"Off to the east!" She shouted, pointing forward using her left forefinger.
With the sound of her voice, the horses started running and the four of them journey to the east.
Completely unaware of the surprises destiny had prepared for them.